Pressure sensitive end sheets for uncased books and method and apparatus for casing books

ABSTRACT

An uncased book is provided with end leaves preferably having pressure sensitive adhesive initially protected with release paper which is fabricated in various alternate ways to facilitate stripping off the release paper. The case for the book has a strip of pressure sensitive coated material at the spine area. Apparatus used to case the book has a table on which the case is positioned inside up and means for centering the case relative to the table. The uncased book is placed in a clamp pivoted to the table, the clamp being adjustable for thickness of the book. The method consists in pivoting the clamp to bring the spine edge of the uncased book into contact with the pressure sensitive spine area of the case and then to strip away the release paper for the end leaves so that the latter adheres to the insides of the top and bottom covers of the case.

iJted States Patent [191 Abildgaard et al.

[111 3,749,423 [451 July 31,1973

Hills,Calif.

[73] Assignee: Velco-Bind, Inc., Sunnyvale, Calif.

[22] Filed: May 25, 1971 [21] Appl. No.: 146,648

Related US. Application Data [63] Continuation-impart of Ser. No.79,086, Oct. 8, 1970, which is a continuation-in-part of Ser. Nos.799,045, Feb. 13, 1969, Pat. No. 3,596,929, and Ser. No. 872,134, Oct.29, I969.

[52] US. Cl. .L 281/21, 281/29 [51] Int. Cl B420 1/00, B42d 3/00 [58]Field 01 Search 2.81/21, 29; 40/125 A [56] I References Cited- UNITEDSTATES PATENTS 2,307,406 1/1943 Howard 40/125 A X 2,382,736 8/1945 Mason40/125 A X 2,608,503 8/1952 Meyer 40/125 A X 2,699,103 1/1955Stasikewich 40/125 A X 3,188,114 6/1965 O'Brien et a1 .l 281/21 R3,294,611 12/1966 Vomela 40/125 A X 3,402,495 9/1968 Fishback 40/125 A XFOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 1,086,671 8/1960 Germany 281/29 671,2292/1939 Germany 281/21 Primary Examiner-Lawrence Charles Attorney-JulianCaplan 5 7 ABSTRACT A n uncased book is provided with end leavespreferably having pressure sensitive adhesive initially protected withrelease paper which is fabricated in various alternate ways tofacilitate stripping off the release paper. The case for the book has astrip of pressure sensitive coated material at the spine area. Apparatusused to case the book has a table on which the case is positioned insideup and means for centering the case relative to the table. The uncasedbook is placed in a clamp pivoted to the table, the clamp beingadjustable for thickness of the book. The method consists in pivotingthe clamp to bring the spine edge of the uncased book into contact withthe pressure sensitive spine area of the case and then to strip away therelease paper for the end leaves so that the latter adheres to theinsides of the top and bottom covers of the case.

20 Claims, 19 Drawing Figures PAIENIEDJULBUW 3,749,423

INVENTOR5 WILLIAM H. ABILDGAARD CHARLES 'l'. GROSWITH,HI

PAIENTEU m5 3.749.423

SHEEI 2 BF 7 FIG. 4

CHARLES T. GR S 1TH,

BY f A PAIENIEU JUL3 1 sum 3 BF 7 FIG. 9

INVENTOR5 WILLIAM H. ABILDGAARD CHARLES T. GROSWITP-LHI ATTORNEY I. III

PATENTED I I973 IOI R I06 SHEU u 0F 7 III INVENTORS WILLIAM H.ABILDGAARD CHARLES T. GROSWTH,1]1

FIG.

ATTORNEY Pmmwm 3.149.423

SHEEI 5 0F 7 m 1 LO. Q E 00 915 I yoopoooooly FIG. ll

INVENTORS WILLIAM H. ABILDGAARD CHARLES T. GROSW|TH,III

ATTORNEY PAIENTEB M 1 3, 7 49.423

sum 6 or 1 FIG. l2

PATENTEDJUL31 3.749.423

SHEET 7 OF 7 mviisrroRs WILLIAM H. ABILDGAARD I CHARLES T. GROSWIT BY mM AM

AT TORN EY PRESSURE SENSITIVE END SHEETS FOR UNCASED BOOKS AND METHODAND APPARATUS FOR CASING BOOKS This application is acontinuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 79,086, filed Oct. 8, 1970,which 15, in turn, a continuation-impart of applications, Ser. No.799,045, filed Feb. 13, 1969 now US. Pat. No. 3,596,929 issued Aug. 3,I97], and Ser. No. 872,134, filed Oct. 29, 1969.

This invention relates to new and improved pressure sensitive end leafconstruction for uncased books wherein release paper initially protectsthe adhesive, and wherein the release paper is fabricated so that it canbe stripped off conveniently. Further, the invention relates to a methodof easing books (i.e., assembling the uncased book and the case) and toapparatus for assembling the case and cover.

A principal object and advantage of the present invention is to greatlyreduce the number of operations required to bind an uncased book and tocase said book. The labor required is very materially reduced; the useof existing binery equipment is almost entirely eliminated; and theamount of additional equipment required is minimal and inexpensive. Moreparticularly, conventional book binding requires a large number ofsewing, glueing, beading and rounding steps, each of which normallyrequires specialized equipment and, further, the casing in of theuncased book required glueing and fabricating steps. All of theforegoing steps are either eliminated or greatly simplified by practiceof the present invention.

Conventional bindery practice requires utilization of large areas ofbindery floor space, since the various parts which are ultimatelyassembled in the eased book are ordinarily spread out and must be leftin spread condition while glue dries and while other portions are beingcompleted and assembled. I-Ience, not only is the amount of labor andmachinery greatly reduced by practice of the present invention, but eventhe floor space required in a bindery is reduced because of the factthat it is not necessary to spread out the book parts as has heretoforebeen the practice.

A furtherfeature of the invention is the reduction in the amount ofskilled labor required. The operator of the equipment used to practicethe present invention does not requireextensive training in order topractice the method of the invention. I I r One of the particularfeatures of the invention is the fact that pressure sensitiveadhesive,is applied to the end leaves of the book. In accordance withconventional manufacturing practices, the pressure sensitive adhesive isfirst applied to release paper which has previously been coated so thatwhen the adhesive is brought into contact with the end leaf, theadhesive sticks to the end leaf and does not stick well to the releasepaper. Accordinglyfwhen the release paper is stripped off, the pressuresensitive adhesive remains with the end leaf and is exposed. Features ofthe invention are the provision of various alternate means forfabricating the release paper so that it may be stripped or peeled offthe end leaves in a convenient and efficient manner.

Another feature of the invention is the assembling of the uncased bookto its case. After the spine edge of the uncased book is caused toadhere to pressure sensitive material which is positioned on the spinearea of the case, the release paper for the pressure sensitive materialof the end leaf is removed, and the end leaves are then caused to adhereto the inside of the covers of the case.

Another feature of the invention is the fact that the release paper maybe stripped with the uncased book attached to the spine of the case andthe release paper stripped from the end leaves while the book is closed.

Another feature of the invention is the fact that likelihood of improperlocation of the end leaves relative to the case is for practicalpurposes eliminated.

Another principal feature and advantage of the invention is theprovision of a rapid and convenient means for locating the case and thebook relative to each other.

Still another feature of the invention is the provision for rapid andconvenient means for attachment-of the book to the spine of the case.

A still further feature of the invention is the provision of a rapid andconvenient means for attachment of the end leaves to the case.

An object of the invention is to provide-an end leaf construction and anapparatus and method for assembly of the uncased book and the case withthe use of equipment which resembles in appearance, size and ease ofoperation standard office equipment. Further, the operation of theequipment requires relatively unskilled labor.

Other features of the invention are the substantial reduction in theinitial cost of equipment required to assemble the uncased book andcase, a substantial reduction in floor space required as compared withcommercial binderies, and the reduction in maintenance costs of theequipment.

Other objects of the present invention will become apparent upon readingthe following specification and referring to the accompanying drawingsin which similar characters of reference represent corresponding partsin each of the several views. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a book and case therefor in accordancewith the present invention with the release paper still in position, thecover being open.

FIG. 1A is a fragmentary, sectional view through the structure of FIG. Iwith the cover closed. i

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an uncased book with modified releasepaper construction.

FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 2 of a further modification.

FIGS. 4 and 4A are fragmentary, perspective views of further modifiedconstructions. I

FIG. 5 is a schematic end elevational view of a further modified releasepaper and end leaf construction.

FIG. 5A is a view similar to FIG. 5 showing the release paper partiallystripped away.

FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 5 of another modification.

FIG. 6A is a view similar to FIG. 5A of the modification of FIG. 6.

FIG. 6B is a view similar to FIG. 6A showing a further modification inthat a tab or sheet to pull the release paper is formed integral withthe release paper.

FIG. 7 is a view similar to FIG. 5 of an additional modification.

FIG. 8 is a view similar to FIG. 5 of still another modification.

FIG. 8A is a view similar to FIG. 5A of the modification of FIG. 8.

FIG. 9 is a schematic view showing a means for fabricating the structureof FIG. 6.

FIG. 10 is a top plan view, partially broken away in section, ofapparatus for assembling an uncased book and case.

FIG. 11 is a side elevational view from the right of FIG. 10.

FIG. 12 is a rear elevational view of the structure of FIG. 10.

FIG. 13 is a front elevational view of the structure of FIG. 10,partially broken away toreveal interior construction.

Reference is made to application Ser. No. 799,045 wherein an uncasedbook 41 which may be used with the present invention is illustrated anddescribed. It will be understood that the uncased book may beconsiderably modified from that shown in said application in that thebook may be fabricated by sewing, gluing, stapling or other means.However, the book shown in said application Ser. No. 799,045 is apreferred construction. Such a book 41 is formed of a plurality ofsheets 21 formed with apertures 22 adjacent the spine margins thereof.The uncased book is held together by means of a first plastic strip 26having integral projecting thermoplastic studs 27 spaced to fit throughthe holes 22 and a second plastic strip 29 formed with similarly spacedholes 31 preferably having external counterbores 32 in which rivet heads33 are formed on the severed ends of studs 27 by passing a hot knifethrough said studs spaced beyond said second strip and then moving thehot knife toward the second strip to form rivet-like heads on saidstuds. Apparatus and method for thus fabricating a book are claimed inco-pending applications of the present applicants. End leaves 23 areprovided which fit on the top and bottom of the stack of sheets 21, thespine marginal edges of the end leaves 23 being apertured and receivingthe same studs 27 which secure the sheets 21 to the strips 26, 29.

One of the features of the present application is the use of pressuresensitive adhesive 36 on at least a portion of each end leaf 23.Initially, such adhesive 36 is protected from contact with other objectsby release paper 37. Release paper 37, as conventionally manufactured,is ordinary Kraft paper which is coated with polyethylene on both sidesso that the paper does not absorb solvents or moisture and thepolyethylene coating is stable. At least the side of the release paperto which the adhesive is applied is coated with a silicone material tofacilitate stripping.

Adhesive 36 is usually an acrylic, cross-linked acrylic, nitrile rubberor other polymer which is initially dissolved in a solvent ascommercially available. A coating between 4 and 6 mils thick is appliedto the silicone coated surface of the release paper 37 and then thesolvent is driven off by drying in an oven so that the adhesive layer 36is about 1 mil or less in thickness. Such release paper 37 coated withadhesive 36 is then laminated to the end leaf 23 and rolled so that theadhesive 36 sticks to the end leaf 23. The fabrication of the end leaf23, adhesive 36 and release paper 37 is an adaptation of generalcommercial practice in the pressure sensitive adhesive art. Inaccordance with the present invention, in the form of the inventionshown in FIG. I, a slit 38 is formed in the release paper 37 immediatelyoutside each strip 26 or 29. By pulling the release paper 37 away fromthe adhesive 36 commencing at the slit 38, the release paper is removed,exposing the adhesive 36. When the top cover 56 of the case 46 isclosed, adhesive 36 causes the end leaf 23 to adhere to the insidecover, as subsequently explained, and thus the case and cover areassembled.

As is described in detail in application Ser. No. 79,086, case 46 islikewise subject to variation, but a preferred form employs covermaterial 47 of vinyl, leather or other suitable substance and to thecenter of the case 46 extending vertically in the completed book is aresilient spine strip 48 which is pressure sensitive on both surfacesand is preferably originally covered by release paper 48a (see FIG. 12)which is stripped off at the commencement of the assembling operation.Immediately to the outside of the strip 48 is a hinge forming area 49which is the thinnest part of the case. Immediately outside of eachhinged forming area 49 are boards 51 of cardboard or similar material.The top and bottom margins of the cover material 47 are folded inward intop and bottom turnins 52 at the top and bottom edges of the book, onlypartially covering the boards 51. Similarly, on each outer edge an edgeturnin 53 of the material 47 is formed and the corners 54 are preferablymitered, all as in accordance with conventional ease manufacturingoperations. Thus, front and back covers 56 and an intermediate centralspine cover 57 are provided. In the ultimate fabrication of the book,hinge creases 58 are formed immediately inward of covers 56 and beads 59formed immediately inward of the hinge creases 58. The details of theforegoing construction and the advantages thereof are set forth inapplication Ser. No. 79,086.

In assembling the uncased book 41 to the case 46, as is further setforth in the description of FIGS. 12-15, the spine edge of the uncasedbook 41 is caused to adhere to the pressure sensitive resilient spinestrip 48. The completion of this operation is shown in FIG. 1. As shownin FIG. 1, the top cover 56 (and the bottom cover as well) is unfinishedin that the board 51 is shown merely covered by the turned in top andbottom portions 52 and edge turn in 53. The ultimate position of the endleaf 23 which conceals the board 51 is shown in dot-and-dash lines inthe inside of top cover 56.

Slit 38 is formed extending from top to bottom of the release paper 37immediately inside the hinged area 58. As a further step in thecompletion of the book, the end paper 37 is peeled back from theadhesive 36 of the end leaf 23, the beginning of this operation beingshown in the dot-and-dash line portion of the uncased book 41 of FIG. 1.The release paper 37 is completely removed and the top cover 56 is thenclosed causing the adhesive 36 to adhere to the inside of the board 51and the portions of the tumed-in portions 52, 52 and 53 within thedot-and-dash lines. The end leaf- 23 then permanently adheres to thecover 56.

In the modification of FIG. 2, a second slit 39 is formed in releasepaper 37a about one-half the width of the end leaf 23a. Thus the releasepaper 37a is removed in two stages: first by peeling back from slit 38aand then by peeling back from the slit 39. In the modification of FIG.3, which closely resembles that of FIG. 1, at least one corner 43 of therelease paper 37b is folded back. Such corner 43 may be gripped tofacilitate stripping off the release paper 37b. The exposed corner ofthe adhesive 36b at the upper left-hand corner of the uncased book shownin FIG. 3 is not of sufficient area so that if it sticks to anotherobject any dam age occurs. I

In the modification of FIG. 4, a narrow ribbon 61 of paper is placed onthe underside of the adhesive-coated release paper 370 prior tolaminating to end leaf 23c. After lamination, slit 38c is located tocoincide with the spine side of ribbon 61. The ribbon 61 prevents adherence of the adhesive-coated release paper 37c to end leaf 230 in an areaoutward of line 62 which extends from top to bottom of sheet 370. In theuse of the modification of FIG. 4, it is relatively simple for theoperator to peel back the release paper 37c because there is a narrowarea adjacent slit 38c where the release paper 370 is loose. The form ofthe invention shown in FIG. 4A, as a further modification, the releasepaper 370 is folded back so that the surface of ribbon 61 is outermost,making it even easier to peeloff the end paper 370.

In the preceding modifications, the adhesive 36 has been applied overthe entire area of the release paper 37 and accordingly, is applied overthe entire area of the end leaf 23 with the exception of the narrow areaoccupied by ribbon 61 in FIGS. 4 and 4A. Directing attention to FIG. 5,however, the adhesive 36d is applied only partially over the width ofthe release paper 37d but' terminated in the line 64 spaced inward fromthe left-hand margin of the paper 23d. Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 5A,when the release paper 37d is peeled back, the edge 64 of the adhesive36d is spaced to the right of the left-hand margin of the end leaf 23d apredetermined distance. The space between the edge 64 and the left-handedge of the sheet 23d provides room for the plastic strip 26d. Thedistance between line 64 and the left-hand edge is substantially thesame as be tween line 38 in the modification of FIG. 1 at the lefthandedge of the uncased book. i

In the modification of FIG. 6, to facilitate stripping of the releasepaper 372, a sheet 66 of extended width is applied between the adhesive36a and the left-hand edge of end leaf 23e. The right-hand edge of sheet66 extends about to line 64a which corresponds to line 64 of themodification of FIG. 5. The sheet 66 is then folded clockwise (FIG. 6A)to overlie the release paper 37e so that the area where the strip 26c isto be applied is clear and accessible during the makeup of the uncasedbook. After the uncased book'is inserted in the case, it is desirablethat the sheet 66 protrude outside the outer edge of the book so that itmay be gripped with the covers closed and pulled to expose the adhesive36c and to make it possible for the end leaf 23c to be bonded to theinside of the cover without the necessity of opening the book. Adhesivefilm 36e breaks at line 64a when tab 66 is pulled to the right, andrelease paper 37 e is stripped from adhesive 36: on end leaf 23eby theadhesive67 bonding sheets 66 to release paper 37c.

In the modification of FIG. 6, the sheet 66 is shown to be as long asthe length of the book, but it will be understood that instead of asheet 66 a tab of restricted dimensions but long enough to extend beyondthe right-hand margin of leaf 23: may be substituted.

In the modification of FIG. 6B, the tab or sheet 66] is formed integralwith release paper 37f rather than as a separate element. The adhesive37f extends only partially to the left-hand edge of end leaf 23f so asto cause termination of the adhesive 36f at line 64f or some line spacedto the right thereof any desired distance. The sheet or tab 66/ ispulled after the uneased book has been installed inside the case toexpose the adhesive 36f in essentially the same manner as in FIG. 6.

The modification of FIG. 7 employs a second sheet 71 similar to sheet 66of FIG. 6. The modification of FIG. 7 differs from FIG. 6, however, inthat the release paper 37i is of greatly extended width, approximatelytwice the width of the end leaf 23i, and adhesive 36: is applied oversubstantially the entire surface of release paper 371. The right-handedge of the second sheet 71 extends inward of the left-hand margin ofthe end leaf 23i approximately the same distance as does the sheet 66 ofFIG. 6. Again, it will be understood that instead of the sheet 71extending the whole length of the sheet 23i it may be of limited widthand only sufficient to provide a grip for the fingers. In addition, thesheet or tab 71 may extend considerably to the right of the righthandedge of end leaf 23i. The adhesive-laminated combination of sheet 71 andrelease paper 37i forms a strong, reinforced pull tab.

In the modification of FIG. 8, a sheet or tab 73 of polyethylene orother suitable material is heat bonded or otherwise adhered to therelease strip 37] In this modification, preferably a line 64] indicatesthe lefthand edge of the application of the adhesive 37j. As shown inFIG. 8A, by pulling the sheet or tab 73 to the right, the release paper37j may be peeled from the adhesive 36j afterthe uncased book has beeninstalled in the case.

FIG. 9 illustrates a preferred means for fabricating the modification ofFIG. 6. The stock from which the end leaves 23e is fabricated is doublethe width of the ultimate end leaf 23e. In other words, the end leavesand associated elements are formed double and are cut by the cutter 74along the center line. Thisarrangement facilitates rapid production ofthe end leaf combination. By way of further explanation, a web which istwice the width of the release paper 37e of the final product is coatedwith adhesive 36c. On either edge a web of paper 66 is applied, theinner edge of each web 66 slightly overlapping the outer edge of the web372. Thereupon, a double web 23c of end leaf material is applied and thematerial 232 is adhered to the adhesive 36e by means of pressure rollersor other suitable means. Thereupon, the web 66 folded in the directionof the arrows of FIG. 9 and the cutter 74. cuts the twin web apart toproduce the modification of FIG. 6. Similar techniques may be used toproduce the other modifications. V

The uncased books of FIGS. 2, 3, 4 and 4A, as well as the laminated endsheets of FIGS. 5, 5A, 6, 6A,- 68, I

7,8 and 8A are in many respects similar to the modification of FIG. 1and the same reference numerals followed by the subscripts a, b, c, d,e, f, i and j, are used to designate corresponding parts in the'severalviews.

The apparatus illustrated in FIGS. 10-13 may be used to assemble theuncased book 41 to the case 46. End leaves 23'of the type illustratedand described in FIGS. 1-9 may be applied to the uncased book 41 priorto its being positioned in the apparatus 80.

The case 46 is placed on table 81 which is shown in the accompanyingdrawings being horizontal but is actually preferably downwardlyrearwardly inclined as is best shown in FIG. 11. The angle which thetable 81 assumes is governed by the length of the feet 82 which arepositioned below the four corners of the table. Stops 85 are the rearedge of table 81 locate case 46 in a rearward sense. On either side oftable 81 is a transverse slot 83. Wings 84 are located on either side ofthe apparatus sliding over the surface of table 81 and each having adownward extension 86 which fits through slot 83. The extension 86slides laterally in a block 87 fixed to the bottom of table 81 and itslower end is fixed to a rack 88. There is one rack 88R on the right handside of the machine at a lower elevation then the corresponding rack 88Lof the left hand side. The inner ends of the racks 88L slide through acentral block 89 on the underside of the middle of the table 81 andmounted for rotation in block 89 is a pinion 91 connected to forwardlyextending shaft 92 which is mounted in a bearing support 93 along thebottom of the front edge of the table 81 with a centering knob 94 on theexterior of the apparatus. By turning knob 94 the pinion 91 is likewiseturned and this causes racks 88L and R to move in and out equi-distantamounts in opposite directions and thereby move the wings 84 inwardlyand outwardly rel ative to the center of the table 81 for the purpose ofaccurately centering the case 46 received between the inner edges of thewings 84 relative to the center line of the table.

Pivoted to the rear edge of table 81 is a clamp 95 which receives theuncased book and' is used to press the spine edge of the book againstthe spine strip 48 of the case 46 as hereinafter appears. Bearing blocks96 are located on the rear edge of table 81 and receive shaft 98 whichextends from the right hand edge of table 81 to a position to the leftof the center thereof. Shaft 98 consists of three sections. At the righthand edge is an unthreaded section which is connected by coupling 97 toa right hand threaded section which lies immediately to the left ofcoupling 97 as viewed in FIG. and extends up to the center of themachine while the shaft 98 to the left of the center of the machine isleft hand threaded. Thickness adjusting knob 99 is fixed to shaft 98 onthe right hand side of the machine. But turning knob 99, the shafts 98turn in bearing supports 96. The left and right clamp members 101L, 101Rare moved by shaft 98, each having a nut 102 in threaded engagement withshaft 98. Thus, when knob 99 is turned, the nuts 102 move toward or awayfrom each other, bringing the clamp members 101L, 101R toward and awayfrom each other to adjust for the thickness of the uncased book 41 whichis held therebetween.

Each member 101 has a plate 103 which oscillates around the center ofshaft 98 in a vertical plane. Extending laterally from adjacent thefront edge of each plate 103 is an annularly shaped bracket 104 and abandle 106 is attached to each plate forward of angle bracket 104. Bysqueezing the handles 106 together the uncased book 41 which is betweenthe clamp members.

101 may be more tightly gripped. At right angles to angle brackets 104are gussets 107 positioned adjacent in bottom edges of plates 103. Threetransverse rods 108 extend through gussets 107, the ends of rods 108being fixed to one of the gussets and sliding within holes in the othergusset. The rods 108 insure that the members 101 pivot together ratherthan independently. Extending rearward of table 81 is a rearwardextension 111 on which the lower edges of plates 103 rest in theretracted position of the clamp 95 and extending up from the extension111 of the rear of the machine is a leveling boss 112 on which the rearbottom edge of the uncased book 41 rests at the time of initialinstallation. The upper edge of boss 112 is level with the tops of rods108 so that the uncased book is properly located at the beginning of theassembly operation resting on the tops of rods 108 and boss 112.

In the use of apparatus 80, at the outset, clamp is pivoted to upposition (solid lines in FIG. 11) and the uncased book 41 is placed inthe clamp 95. For this purpose, knob 99 is turned so that the clampmembers 101L, 101R are moved about a distance slightly greater than thethickness of the book 41. The book 41, with end leaves 23 and releasepaper 37 incorporated therein as previously explained, are positionedbetween plates 103 with the strips 26, 29 forward of the front edges ofplates 103 and with the bottom edgeof the uncased book resting upon rods108 and leveling boss 112. The knob 99 is then turned to bring the clampmembers 1011., 101R together and to clamp the uncased book into positiontherebetween. By observation of the distance between members 1011,,101R, or by the use of a gauge (not shown), the width of the spine ofthe book is estimated and a case 46 having a proper spine dimension isselected. Suchcase 46 is placed on the table 81 and moved rearward toengage stops 85. Knob 94 is turned so that the wings 84 center case 46relative to the center of the machine. Release paper 480, which coversthe pressure sensitive spine strip, is removed exposing the adhesive onthe spine strip.

After the case 46 and uncased book 41 have been installed as abovedescribed, the operator grips the handles 106 and pivots the clamp 95 ina counterclockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 11 from the solid lineposition to the dotted line position. This forces the spine edges of theuncased book 41 against the pressure sensitive strip 48 and the twoparts then stick together. By releasing the grip on the handles 106, theclamp 95 can be pivoted back to its initial position, leaving theuncased book 41 in position on the case 46. Thereupon, when the endleaves of FIG. 6-9, for example, have been previously installed, thefront and rear covers 56 may be closed, the sheet 66 pulled, exposing tothe inside of the covers the pressure-sensitive adhesive 36c whichthensticks to the boards 51 and to the edges of the tumins 52, 53 completingassembly of the book.

Where end leaves such as shown in FIG. 1 have been employed, theassembly of the end leaves to the inside of the cover is accomplished byserially attaching the covers. This is done by pulling off release paper37 of each end leaf 23 and then closing the cover and pressing ittightly against adhesive 36. The same procedure is followed with FIGS.2-5. v

What is claimed is:

l. A method of forming a casedbook comprising providing a plurality ofsheets, front and back end leaves on the outside of said uncased book,each said end leaf having pressure-sensitive material on its outersurface extending to the top, bottom and outside margins of said endleaves, and release paper covering all of said pressure-sensitivematerial binding said sheets and end leaves together along their spinemargins with binding means to form an uncased book with said end leavessecurely bound to said sheets prior to assembly of said uncased book toa case; providing a case for said uncased book having front and backcovers, a flexible spine and covering means for the outsides of bothsaid front and back covers and of said spine, said case prior toadherence to said uncased book being adapted to encase a range ofthicknesses of uncased books by reason of the flexibility of said spine;positioning said uncased book relative to said case with the spine ofsaid uncased book centered relative to said spine, drawing said coversdown to extend outward beyond the outer edges of said end leaves,removing said release paper to expose said pressure-sensitive material,applying pressure to said pressure-sensitive material to cause said endleaves to adhere to the insides of said front and back covers all theway to the outer edges of said end leaves with the insides of the outeredges of said covers extending outwardly beyond the outer edges of saidend leaves and being devoid of exposed adhesive beyond the outer edgesof said end leaves, the spine edge of said uncased book being centeredrelative to said flexible spine.

2. A method according to claim 1 in which said case has a spine strip ofresilient material extending longitudinally down the middle of saidflexible spine covering and has second pressure-sensitive material onits exposed surface, and in which said step of positioning said uncasedbook relative to said case comprises applying pressure to cause thespine edge of said uncased book to adhere to said secondpressure-sensitive material on said spine covering.

3. The method of claim 1 in which each said release paper is slitlongitudinally adjacent its inner edge, said step of strippingcomprising pulling said release paper from said slit outwardly while itsrelated front or back cover is open and then closing said related cover.

4. The method of claim 1 in which each'said release paper is providedwith an elongated tab extending transversely, said release paper andsaid tab folded longitudinally adjacent the inner edge of the relatedend leaf and said tab extending out beyond the outer edge of said endleaf, said step of stripping comprising first closing the related frontor back cover and then pulling said tab outwardly of the spine of thebook to draw the release paper away from the underlyingpressuresensitive material. I

5. A method of forming a cased book comprising providing an uncased bookhaving a plurality of sheets, front and back end leaves on the outsideof said uncased book, each said end leaf having pressuresensitivematerial on itsouter surface extending to the top, bottom and outsidemargins of said end leaves, and narrow plastic strips overlying thespineedges of each said end leaf, said strips'having cooperating means forbinding said end leaves and sheetstogether so that said end leaves aresecurely bound to said sheets prior to assembly of said uncased book toa case; providingacase for said uncased book having front and backcovers, a flexible spine and covering means for the outsides of bothsaid front and back covers and of said spine, said case prior toadherence to said uncased book being adapted to encase a range ofthicknesses of uncased books by reason of the flexibility of said spine;positioning said uncased book relative to said case with the spine ofsaid uncased book centered relative to said spine, applying pressure tosaid pressure-sensitive material to cause said end leaves to adhere tothe insides of said front and back covers, said pressure-sensitivematerial extending to the outer edges of said end leaves, the outeredges of said covers extending outwardly beyond the outer edges of saidend leaves, said insides of said covers being devoid of exposed adhesivebeyond the outer edges of said end leaves, the spine edge of saiduncased book being centered relative to said flexible spine, adheringthe outer edges of said spine cover to said strips to form beads alongthe front and back spine edges of said cover.

6. A method according to claim 5 in which said case has a spine strip ofresilient material extending longitudinally down the middle of saidflexible spine covering and has pressure-sensitive material on itsexposed surface, and in which said step of positioning said uncased bookrelative to said case comprises applying pressure to cause the spineedge of said uncased book to adhere to said pressure sensitive materialon said spine cover- 7. A method according to claim 5 in which said stepof forming said uncased book comprises, forming along the inner marginof each of a plurality of said sheets and said end leaves a plurality oflongitudinally spaced apertures, inserting through said apertures studsattached to a first of said strips, inserting said studs through holesin the second of said strips, compressing said strips together and saidsheets there-between, sev- -ering the ends of said studs projectingbeyond said second strip, and deforming the ends of said studs to securesaid studs and said second strip together with said sheets and endleaves bound between said strips and said studs extend through saidapertures.

'8. A method according to claim 7 in which said severing step comprisespassing a hot knife through said studs spaced beyond said second stripand said deforming step comprises moving said hot knife toward saidsecond strip to form rivet-like heads on said studs.

9. An uncased book for use in fabricating a cased book comprising aplurality of sheets, a front and a back end leaf, binding means forbinding the spine edges of said end leaves and said sheets togetherlocated adjacent the spine edgeof said book, said end leaf havingsubstantially the entire outside surface thereof covered withpressure-sensitive material extending to the top, bottom and outsidemargins of said end leaf, and release paperfor each-said end leafcovering the entire area of said pressure-sensitive material and beingseparable from said pressure-sensitive material from a line parallel toand adjacent the outside margin of said binding means to expose an areaof pressuresensitive material from said line. outwardly to-said top,bottom and outside margins of said end leaf.

10. An uncased book according to claim 9 in which said sheetsand endleaf are formed with spaced apertures along a marginal edgein which saidbinding means comprises a first strip-having projecting studs spacedlongitudinally of said first strip the same distance as said apertureson one side of said uncasedbook, a second strip formed with holescorresponding to said studs on the opposite side of said book, saidstuds extending through said apertures and holes and formed with beadson the outside of said second strip.

1 l. A book according to claim 9 in which said release paper is formedwith a longitudinal slit along said line.

12. A book according to claim 11 which further comprises a ribbonextending longitudinally outward of said slit adhering to a portion ofthe area of said pressuresensitive material.

13. A book according to claim 12 which further comprises a tab havingone edge adhering to said pressuresensitive material adjacent the inneredge of said end leaf and folded over to overlie said release paper andextend beyond the outer edge of said book.

14. A book according to claim 13 in which said tab is coextensive inlength with the length of said release paper.

15. A book according to claim 13 in which said tab is integral with saidrelease paper.

16. A book according to claim 15 in which said tab is covered on oneside with a second area of pressuresensitive adhesive and which furthercomprises a protective covering adhering to said second area ofpressure-sensitive adhesive.

17. A book according to claim 9 in which said pressure-sensitivematerial terminates at said line, said release paper folded over tooverlie the spine edge of said width to extend beyond the outer edge ofsaid book.

t I i t t

1. A method of forming a cased book comprising providing a plurality ofsheets, front and back end leaves on the outside of said uncased book,each said end leaf having pressure-sensitive material on its outersurface extending to the top, bottom and outside margins of said endleaves, and release paper covering all of said pressure-sensitivematerial binding said sheets and end leaves together along their spinemargins with binding means to form an uncased book with said end leavessecurely bound to said sheets prior to assembly of said uncased book toa case; providing a case for said uncased book having front and backcovers, a flexible spine and covering means for the outsides of bothsaid front and back covers and of said spine, said case prior toadherence to said uncased book being adapted to encase a range ofthicknesses of uncased books by reason of the flexibility of said spine;positioning said uncased book relative to said case with the spine ofsaid uncased book centered relative to said spine, drawing said coversdown to extend outward beyond the outer edges of said end leaves,removing said release paper to expose said pressure-sensitive material,applying pressure to said pressure-sensitive material to cause said endleaves to adhere to the insides of said front and back covers all theway to the outer edges of said end leaves with the insides of the outeredges of said covers extending outwardly beyond the outer edges of saidend leaves and being devoid of exposed adhesive beyond the outer edgesof said end leaves, the spine edge of said uncased book being centeredrelative to said flexible spine.
 2. A method according to claim 1 inwhich said case has a spine strip of resilient material extendinglongitudinally down the middle of said flexible spine covering and hassecond pressure-sensitive material on its exposed surface, and in whichsaid step of positioning said uncased book relative to said casecomprises applying pressure to cause the spine edge of said uncased bookto adhere to said second pressure-sensitive material on said spinecovering.
 3. The method of claim 1 in which each said release paper isslit longitudinally adjacent its inner edge, said step of strippingcomprising pulling said release paper from said slit outwardly while itsrelated front or back cover is open and then closing said related cover.4. The method of claim 1 in which each said release paper is providedwith an elongated tab extending transversely, said release paper andsaid tab folded longitudinally adjacent the inner edge of the relatedend leaf and said tab extending out beyond the outer edge of said endleaf, said step of stripping comprising first closing the related frontor back cover and then pulling said tab outwardly of the spine of thebook to draw the release paper away from the underlyingpressure-sensitive material.
 5. A method of forming a cased bookcomprising providing an uncased book having a plurality of sheets, frontand back end leaves on the outside of said uncased book, eacH said endleaf having pressure-sensitive material on its outer surface extendingto the top, bottom and outside margins of said end leaves, and narrowplastic strips overlying the spine edges of each said end leaf, saidstrips having cooperating means for binding said end leaves and sheetstogether so that said end leaves are securely bound to said sheets priorto assembly of said uncased book to a case; providing a case for saiduncased book having front and back covers, a flexible spine and coveringmeans for the outsides of both said front and back covers and of saidspine, said case prior to adherence to said uncased book being adaptedto encase a range of thicknesses of uncased books by reason of theflexibility of said spine; positioning said uncased book relative tosaid case with the spine of said uncased book centered relative to saidspine, applying pressure to said pressure-sensitive material to causesaid end leaves to adhere to the insides of said front and back covers,said pressure-sensitive material extending to the outer edges of saidend leaves, the outer edges of said covers extending outwardly beyondthe outer edges of said end leaves, said insides of said covers beingdevoid of exposed adhesive beyond the outer edges of said end leaves,the spine edge of said uncased book being centered relative to saidflexible spine, adhering the outer edges of said spine cover to saidstrips to form beads along the front and back spine edges of said cover.6. A method according to claim 5 in which said case has a spine strip ofresilient material extending longitudinally down the middle of saidflexible spine covering and has pressure-sensitive material on itsexposed surface, and in which said step of positioning said uncased bookrelative to said case comprises applying pressure to cause the spineedge of said uncased book to adhere to said pressure sensitive materialon said spine covering.
 7. A method according to claim 5 in which saidstep of forming said uncased book comprises, forming along the innermargin of each of a plurality of said sheets and said end leaves aplurality of longitudinally spaced apertures, inserting through saidapertures studs attached to a first of said strips, inserting said studsthrough holes in the second of said strips, compressing said stripstogether and said sheets there-between, severing the ends of said studsprojecting beyond said second strip, and deforming the ends of saidstuds to secure said studs and said second strip together with saidsheets and end leaves bound between said strips and said studs extendthrough said apertures.
 8. A method according to claim 7 in which saidsevering step comprises passing a hot knife through said studs spacedbeyond said second strip and said deforming step comprises moving saidhot knife toward said second strip to form rivet-like heads on saidstuds.
 9. An uncased book for use in fabricating a cased book comprisinga plurality of sheets, a front and a back end leaf, binding means forbinding the spine edges of said end leaves and said sheets togetherlocated adjacent the spine edge of said book, said end leaf havingsubstantially the entire outside surface thereof covered withpressure-sensitive material extending to the top, bottom and outsidemargins of said end leaf, and release paper for each said end leafcovering the entire area of said pressure-sensitive material and beingseparable from said pressure-sensitive material from a line parallel toand adjacent the outside margin of said binding means to expose an areaof pressure-sensitive material from said line outwardly to said top,bottom and outside margins of said end leaf.
 10. An uncased bookaccording to claim 9 in which said sheets and end leaf are formed withspaced apertures along a marginal edge in which said binding meanscomprises a first strip having projecting studs spaced longitudinally ofsaid first strip the same distance as said apertures on one side of saiduncased book, a second strip formed with holes corresPonding to saidstuds on the opposite side of said book, said studs extending throughsaid apertures and holes and formed with heads on the outside of saidsecond strip.
 11. A book according to claim 9 in which said releasepaper is formed with a longitudinal slit along said line.
 12. A bookaccording to claim 11 which further comprises a ribbon extendinglongitudinally outward of said slit adhering to a portion of the area ofsaid pressure-sensitive material.
 13. A book according to claim 12 whichfurther comprises a tab having one edge adhering to saidpressure-sensitive material adjacent the inner edge of said end leaf andfolded over to overlie said release paper and extend beyond the outeredge of said book.
 14. A book according to claim 13 in which said tab iscoextensive in length with the length of said release paper.
 15. A bookaccording to claim 13 in which said tab is integral with said releasepaper.
 16. A book according to claim 15 in which said tab is covered onone side with a second area of pressure-sensitive adhesive and whichfurther comprises a protective covering adhering to said second area ofpressure-sensitive adhesive.
 17. A book according to claim 9 in whichsaid pressure-sensitive material terminates at said line, said releasepaper folded over to overlie the spine edge of said pressure-sensitivematerial.
 18. A book according to claim 17 in which said release paperis folded along said longitudinal line.
 19. A book according to claim 18in which said release paper is of extended width and has a tab, said tabfolded over to extend beyond the outer edge of said book.
 20. A bookaccording to claim 17 which further comprises a tab of thermal-adhesivematerial adhering to the outside of said release paper and being ofextended width to extend beyond the outer edge of said book.